Grand Teton: Death Canyon Trailhead Closed, Here’s Where to Go Instead

If you were planning to hike on the south side of Grand Teton, one starting point is off the table: Death Canyon Road and Trailhead are closed to all traffic for construction. You can't park there or start a hike there while the work is underway.

The closure doesn't take the whole area off the map. It just moves the starting point. The park points hikers to nearby trailheads at Granite Canyon, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve (LSR Preserve), and Taggart Lake. From there, you can still reach the main trails in the southern part of the park, including parts of loops that usually begin through Death Canyon, with a few extra miles. Start early. These backup lots fill quickly in peak season now that they’re taking the hikers diverted from Death Canyon.

Before you put Death Canyon in your plans, check that it has reopened. Construction closures at Grand Teton can last several weeks and shift from one season to the next. Until then, our Grand Teton hiking guide lays out the alternatives by area, and our park guide helps you adjust the rest of your trip. If you're pairing the Tetons with the nearby geysers, it all fits into our Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip itinerary.